Bruce Jenner Debuts as Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner made her debut on the cover of Vanity Fair, this week. Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner, an Olympian Gold medalist and step-dad to the Kardashian clan, has been transitioning over the last several months through a series of plastic surgery procedures including a 36-D (go big or go home?!) breast implant and a 10-hour facial procedure in March that created a more feminine look. Jenner admits to second-guessing after the surgery but worked with a counselor to work through her issues. Jenner says she feels free now that she has embraced her true personality. Jenner also had surgery on her nose and trachea in preparation for her transition.

Hello Caitlyn Jenner

One surgery she hasn’t had: the full genital transition. While she doesn’t appear to have made a decision about whether she’ll undergo the knife, it actually isn’t a requirement to be considered transgender.

According to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, the reconstruction surgery isn’t a requirement for social-gender recognition. The organization says that document and personal information change should not require that the procedure be completed prior to accepting paperwork. In fact, the organization encourages recognition of the new gender prior to surgery to make transition easier. If Jenner undergoes this type of surgery, it could include reconstruction and removal of the testicles and hair removal. The procedures can be difficult emotionally and physically and patients are encouraged to take their time.

Jenner blatantly denied that she changed her gender to make money. “I’m not doing it for money. You don’t go out and change your gender for a television show, okay? It ain’t happening. I don’t care who you are.”

While Kim and Khloe have been vocal about supporting his transitioning, not everyone is a fan. Recently, musician Drake Bell took to Twitter to share his opinion “Sorry… still calling you Bruce.” Although he deleted the Tweet, it was captured and shared all over social media.

Drake back-peddled following his Tweet claiming to want to “remember his legacy.” Most of us aren’t buying it. Own up to what you think, at least you’re being honest, even if social media hates you for it.

In her interview with Vanity Fair, Jenner says that she recently called a trans-woman who wrote to her offering support and shared her experience. Jenner says she wanted to reach out because she’s new to the community and felt like talking to people who’d been through similar things could help her make a difference.